MADISON- The greater North Alabama Alternative Baseball Club is in need of volunteers and coaches, but no longer a head coach as Tyler Wright has been chosen to head up the local Alternative Baseball Club.

“I was scanning Facebook one night and saw the organization needed a head coach and I thought that position would be awesome,” said Wright. “My goal is to build the program by getting players and volunteer coaches to help expand to where we can have several local teams.”

The current team plays in a league comprised of squads in Atlanta, Chattanooga and Auburn, which requires loads of travel. If the local organization can expand, the woes of traveling would mostly be a thing of the past.

The Alternative Baseball Organization is a 501c3 developmental baseball program for disabled persons ages 15 and older. The national organization has been featured on national television and publications highlighting its incredible skills to assist those with a disability who have a passion for baseball.

The 31-year old Wright was born with cerebral palsy that has affected the right side of his body where he has little movement in his right hand. He also walks with a limp, but his disabilities have led to his strong competitive spirit stemming from his several years as a player and coach of his favorite sport.

“I played baseball in grades 7-10 and then I helped coach softball in grades 11-12,” said Wright, who works at Huntsville Hospital’s Outpatient Therapy Dept. “I was asked to try out for the baseball team at New Hope Middle School when I was in the seventh grade. I was afraid I would not make the team, but the coach helped me make the transition to the team. He gave me confidence as I’m a competitor. I like to play the game. With my coaching experience, I want to build social skills, confidence and team work in each player and hope they will take those skills out to everyday life.”

To help reach his goal with the organization, Wright needs players and volunteers. He anticipates to try and begin practices in late July or early August.  He currently has 10 players on the team roster and hopes to get many others involved.

The current COVID-19 crisis cuffed the efforts of the organization. New members are currently being recruited at the organization’s website- www.alternativebaseball.org. Those interested in being involved can visit the website’s player and volunteer portal to register. “I will personally follow up on each inquiry,” said Wright. “Being back on the field is also an issue as the team is looking for a new home field after playing at Huntsville’s Mae Jemison High School a season ago.”

Alternative Baseball is for teens and adults with autism and other disabilities.

Wright currently attends Calhoun College looking to earn a degree in Health Care Administration.

His playing days at New Hope School included his having the unique talents of throwing and catching only with his left hand. Most of his time on teams was spent as an assistant coach rather than a player. His experience led him to be a coach of travel-summer baseball teams including the Huntsville Banditos for the last three years. His coaching for his new team is a natural fit as he’s lived the uneasy feelings of being out of place among others and the lack of confidence to attempt a sport.

Wright’s work as the team manager for his high school football team led him to be a leader and helper. His love for baseball, especially as an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves, is easily seen in his new position of making a difference in the lives of others.